A looming shortage of aircraft parking space at Ben Gurion Airport could force airlines to scale back flights during the busy summer and Yom Tov travel season, potentially impacting as many as 2.4 million passenger bookings, according to Israel Airports Authority CEO Sharon Kedmi.

In remarks to Ynet, Kedmi warned that the continued presence of dozens of American cargo planes at both Ben Gurion Airport and Ramon Airport has created a severe capacity problem that could disrupt commercial aviation if a solution is not found in the coming days.

He said airlines are expected to be informed by June 16 that they should begin preparing contingency plans, including the possibility of canceling some scheduled flights during the peak travel window that includes the High Holiday period from September 11 through October 4.

According to Kedmi, the strain on airport infrastructure has been building steadily since February. He noted that roughly 70 aircraft are currently using Ben Gurion Airport for routine operations such as arrivals, departures, and refueling, while another 25 cargo planes remain stationed at Ramon Airport.

“As long as the US fleet does not leave Ben Gurion Airport and is not relocated elsewhere, we have no choice but to prepare for a situation in which airlines will have to cancel part of their scheduled flights,” Kedmi said.

He explained that at least 30 American cargo aircraft would need to be moved from Ben Gurion Airport in order to free sufficient space for the commercial flights already planned for the summer and Yom Tov season.

The shortage, he said, is no longer merely a future concern. Airport operations are already feeling the effects, with delays affecting arrivals and departures. In some cases, passengers have been forced to remain onboard aircraft for extended periods because no parking positions or boarding gates were immediately available.

Ben Gurion Airport is currently serving approximately 65,000 travelers each day. During the busiest weeks of the summer, that number is projected to climb to roughly 100,000 daily passengers.

Kedmi also revealed that talks held several weeks ago had fueled hopes that a potential understanding between the United States and Iran would result in the relocation of American military aircraft currently based in Israel. Those expectations faded when no agreement materialized, leaving the aircraft in place and the parking crunch unresolved.

He stressed that any eventual decision to cancel flights would rest with the airlines themselves, which would weigh both operational realities and commercial considerations. If reductions become necessary, the impact could be felt across the aviation sector, affecting both Israeli carriers and foreign airlines currently flying to Israel or planning to restore service.

{Matzav.com}